DC Baby Boom - They're Everywhere

Even before the headline came out yesterday in the Washington Post about a baby boom in DC, my husband and I have noticed the trend in our own neighborhood. The reason we moved to DC ten years ago from thirty years in the Midwest was partly to be around if our daughter in law needed help with our grandson if dad was deployed. And he was - two times. But aside from that, it was nice living in the same neighborhood. They also depended on nanny help, another very common sight around here. Last week we walked over to Eastern Market to pick up a couple of things, and the nanny brigade was out in full strength - even in the rain. The baby carriages and the cargo inside were well protected from the elements. They came in all shapes and sizes - babies, carriages, and nannies! Some were a part of a large preschool or infant group, while most were individually employed and probably meet every morning at the same time to get together. While there are a lot of infants, we don't see many middle school or high school kids. It seems when school is an essential selection, the parents look and move elsewhere. But as long as we've lived here, there's never been a paucity of youngsters this age. And every time we see our grandson, we know we are getting older because he is getting so much bigger. Where does the time go?

The Second Time Around

I've been painting with my iPad for the last five years. My Etsy shop was set up three years ago. I've submitted art works to the employee art fair the last three years and have two pieces ready to go for a fourth year. Nothing else could be a greater form of flattery to know that folks have my paintings hanging on their walls, or displayed in unique ways. In the last week I've had two requests for not just one, but two, paintings. And the subjects were varied and interesting. Any time someone requests a second item, it gives me confidence that they must have really liked the first. So there were two dogs, a baby, and a celebration. Some of the requests were very specific and require a lot of additional add ons - like tags with names, making the dog's tongue shorter, adding room elements, etc. Some of the photos I work from are very grainy and difficult to see the detail so I really need to use my imagination. In any event, each commission is a challenge, but I so enjoy the process it doesn't feel that difficult. And when the artwork is completed, it's such a good feeling to get such positive reactions. Thanks so much for noticing!